Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[torrelee]

Yeah ducklings are great! I started with two khaki campbells and now have four khakis, four blue Indian runner and three cayugas. My husband was sold on more when the first put such a huge dent in the slug population.

I'm pretty excited, but have to start researching breeds I guess! I have slugs in abundance since I live in Shrek's swamp on the coast and my chickens sure don't eat them, lol.

That's scary about the dog. I lost half my flock in California to the neighbors spaniels when I was on duty one weekend. They pushed a board or if my fence and wrecked shop my sister in law had a similar experience but lost several goats. I would be less mad if it was a predator looking for a meal, but the "thrill kill and leave it" that domestic dogs do is hard to stomach.

 

[Cockatrice6420]

My neighbor had goats. Full grown. Two dogs from several miles away came and killed and ATE his goats. There were witness. The police did nothing. I'm increasing my security, but the fence company can't make it until next month.

I know Mason County will only send out animal enforcement during the day or especially if people are being attacked, other than that we have to take care of our own live stock... they say shoot away!

 

[Cockatrice6420]

I'm pretty excited, but have to start researching breeds I guess! I have slugs in abundance since I live in Shrek's swamp on the coast and my chickens sure don't eat them, lol.

That's scary about the dog. I lost half my flock in California to the neighbors spaniels when I was on duty one weekend. They pushed a board or if my fence and wrecked shop my sister in law had a similar experience but lost several goats. I would be less mad if it was a predator looking for a meal, but the "thrill kill and leave it" that domestic dogs do is hard to stomach.

It's kinda gross looking at the ducks slurping down the slugs, then wiping their bills in the dirt to get the slime off, they start looking like Abe Lincoln bearded fowl, but oh so satisfying.

 

[Frindizzle]

I was un-prepared for that cold-front today! So were the chickens. Luckily we just finished building the coop.

 

[junebuggena]

My flock loves to tear apart the banana slugs. They have so much fun tearing those things apart. I have some seriously vicious girls. Mine also enjoy mice, frogs, and the occasional toad.

 

[elizmartin]

oh for sure. I don't blame the dog for doing it's doggy thing, it was just super scary for us, and the owners were like "oh well" about their dog getting loose is what was making my husband upset.

My neighbor had goats. Full grown. Two dogs from several miles away came and killed and ATE his goats. There were witness. The police did nothing. I'm increasing my security, but the fence company can't make it until next month.

And that is why you shoot attacking dogs. They will come back. I've seen enough of that growing up

My origional comment was more a reflection on the oh so many who do not do as much as they can to help deter predetors from coming onto their property or at least a fenced safe area ,,,,,I know from experience too that sometimes the best fences can be breached if they are not reguarly monitored and checked. We lost our daughters alpaca to a cougar, birds to racoons, coyotes and eagles, A llama had a unknown pitbull bite its nose through a hole in a fence,,,,,Many years ago there were 2 dog attacks that i will remember when i had a few llamas…..In Oregon, the Patterson Ranch had a major dog attack killing many llamas but Dick couldn't get any retribution because they were considered *exotic* not domestic at that time….He rallied the Ag department and eventually got the designation changed. In SW Washington about the same time a few roving dogs killed several llamas and the dogs owners said it wasn't theirs…..fortunately/unfortunatly they were seen killing several sheep several days later and were euthanized.
Where i live now i am fortunate that most of my neighbors are responsible owners and/or have breeds that are non threatening…..BUT i do belong to the shoot and shovel club…...

 

[Elaine Wright]

Shoot & shovel for me also. The guns are coming down.

 

[Cockatrice6420]

Shoot & shovel for me also. The guns are coming down.

It boils down to fertilizer and what makes it.

 

[Frindizzle]

My flock loves to tear apart the banana slugs. They have so much fun tearing those things apart. I have some seriously vicious girls. Mine also enjoy mice, frogs, and the occasional toad.

That's awesome, you have pest control!

 

[ochochicas]

With 5 acres there is no way I can keep all the predators out. If they want to find a way in, they will. I blocked off under all the gates on the front of the property to keep the neighbor's dogs from chasing the horses. They can still get in if they want to climb the fence or run past the house and go through a different gate. The dogs respect bullets flying by them, so that seems to have kept them away for two years.

Yesterday the entire flock avoided a hawk attack. Most of my birds are too large for a hawk to grab, but there are a few pullet that are still under 3 pounds. I opened the back door to chase the hawk away. When I came back in two of the pullets had run in the house and were hiding in the hallway. I has hoping my rooster was more of a fighter, but nope, he ran with the hens.